Vehicle fuel supplying apparatus

ABSTRACT

In order to solve a problem that, under the condition that an amount of the residual fuel within a fuel reservoir is small, the fuel within the fuel reservoir is biased by a swing motion of the fuel caused by an abrupt acceleration or an abrupt braking of an automotive vehicle so that the amount of the fuel in the vicinity of a suction port of the fuel pump is deficient and a sufficient amount of fuel may not be supplied to an engine, an outlet port of a return piping for returning into the fuel reservoir extra fuel from a pressure regulator, out of the fuel to be fed under pressure through the pressure regulator from an interior of the fuel reservoir by the fuel pump is disposed within a sub-tank, and the extra fuel is directed and close to the suction port of the fuel pump.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to an in-tank type fuel feeding device for anautomotive vehicle, which comprises: a sub-tank provided in a fuelreservoir; a fuel pump for feeding under pressure fuel within the fuelreservoir through a pressure regulator toward an engine; and a returnpiping for returning extra fuel from the pressure regulator to the fuelreservoir, in order to avoid a phenomenon that the fuel within the fuelreservoir is biased on one side by a swing motion or the like so thatthe fuel is not provided around a suction port of the fuel pump.

BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY

FIG. 11 is, for example, a cross-sectional view, which is disclosed inJapanese Utility Model Publication No. Hei 1-37178 issued on Nov. 9,1989, and shows a fuel feeding device for an automotive vehicle, whichis assembled through a set plate from a bottom side of a fuel reservoir.

In the drawing, reference numeral 1 denotes a fuel reservoir, character1 a denotes an opening portion formed in a bottom surface of the fuelreservoir 1, numeral 2 denotes fuel, numeral 3 denotes a set platemounted oil-tightly so as to hermetically close the above-describedopening portion la, numeral 4 denotes a fuel pump provided in the setplate 3 in advance for feeding under pressure the fuel 2 within the fuelreservoir 1 to the engine, and numeral 5 denotes a sub-tank provided inthe set plate 3 in advance for being positioned in a suitable positionwithin the fuel reservoir 1 in order to avoid a phenomenon that the fuel2 within the fuel reservoir 1 is biased on one side by a swing motion orthe like so that the fuel 2 is not provided around a suction port 4 a ofthe fuel pump 4. A shape of the sub-tank 5 shown in the figure is acup-shaped with a communication hole (not shown) having a small diameterin a lower portion of a side wall thereof so that the fuel is introducedtherethrough.

This sub-tank 5 is mounted on an inner surface side of the set plate inadvance so that it is located in a suitable position within the fuelreservoir 1. The in-tank type fuel pump 4 is mounted within the sub-tank5 together with a suction side filter 6 mounted on its suction port.

Reference numeral 6 denotes the suction side filter mounted so as tocover the suction port 4 a of the fuel pump 4, numeral 7 denotes a jointpipe, and numeral 8 denotes an oil feeding piping for feeding out thefuel 2 to the fuel reservoir 1 oil-tightly through the set plate 3 froman outlet 4 b of the fuel pump 4. Reference numeral 10 denotes an oilfeeding pipe 10, numeral 11 denotes a fuel filter inserted on thedownstream side of the oil feeding pipe 10 for filtrating dust of thefuel 2 to be fed, numeral 12 denotes an injector for injecting the fuelto each cylinder of the engine (not shown), and numeral 13 denotes apressure regulator for adjusting the pressure of the fuel 2 to be fed tothe injector 12 to a constant level.

Also, numeral 14 denotes a return piping for collecting the fuel 2,which is excessive upon the pressure adjustment, from the pressureregulator 13 again to the fuel reservoir 1. This return piping 14extends from the pressure regulator 13 with its outlet port being openwithin the fuel reservoir 1 oil-tightly through the set plate 3.

Incidentally, numeral 15 denotes an electric power connector providedoil-tightly to the set plate 3 and connected to an electric powerfeeding terminal 4 c of the fuel pump 4 to feed the electric drive powerof the fuel pump 4.

As described above, in the conventional fuel feeding device for anautomotive vehicle, under the condition that an amount of the fuel 2within the fuel reservoir 1 is reduced, in order to again feed, back tothe engine, the fuel 2 that has been returned back to the fuel reservoir1 through the return piping 14, the fuel 2 collected in the fuelreservoir 1 is caused to flow into the sub-tank 5 through thecommunication hole (not shown) having a small diameter, and in addition,the fuel has to reach the suction port 4 a of the fuel pump 4. Such adetour has to be taken. As a consequence, if the fuel within the fuelreservoir 1 is biased on one side by the swing motion or the like, thefuel 2 adjacent to the suction port 4 a of the fuel pump 4 would beinsufficient so that it is impossible to sufficiently feed the fuel tothe engine, disadvantageously.

Also, in general, since the sub-tank 5 is formed into a cup shape whosetop surface is opened, the fuel 2 within the sub-tank 5 is caused toride over the side wall of the sub-tank 5 to the outside upon the swingmotion when the vehicle is slanted, abruptly accelerated or abruptlybraked. Thus, there is a possibility that the fuel 2 adjacent to thesuction port 4 a of the fuel pump 4 is insufficient so that it isimpossible to sufficiently feed the fuel 2 to the engine.

In particular, although the fuel consumption rate is increased upon theacceleration of the vehicle, if the fuel supply amount would beinsufficient at this time, there is also a problem that the drivabilityof the vehicle would be seriously affected.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In order to overcome such a problem, an object of this invention is toprovide a fuel feeding device for an automotive vehicle, which stablyfeeds an extra fuel collected from a pressure regulator 13 through areturn piping even if the fuel is biased due to a swing motion upon arapid acceleration or a rapid braking of the vehicle when the amount ofthe fuel within a fuel reservoir is consumed.

According to a first aspect of this invention, in a fuel feeding devicefor an automotive vehicle comprising: a sub-tank provided within a fuelreservoir for avoiding the shortage of fuel in the vicinity of a suctionport of a fuel pump, resulting from the fuel within the fuel reservoiris biased on one side by a swing motion or the like; a fuel pump forfeeding under pressure the fuel within the fuel reservoir through apressure regulator on an engine side; and a return piping for returningextra fuel from the pressure regulator to the fuel reservoir, an outletport of the return piping and a suction port of the fuel pump aredisposed within the sub-tank, and the outlet port of the return pipingis provided so that the extra fuel is guided and directed to the suctionport of the fuel pump.

According to a second aspect of this invention, in a fuel feeding devicefor an automotive vehicle comprising: a sub-tank provided within a fuelreservoir for avoiding the shortage of fuel in the vicinity of a suctionport of a fuel pump, resulting from the fuel within the fuel reservoiris biased on one side by a swing motion or the like; a fuel pump forfeeding under pressure the fuel within the fuel reservoir through apressure regulator on an engine side; a return piping for returningextra fuel from the pressure regulator to the fuel reservoir; and a setplate disposed in advance so that the sub-tank and the fuel pump arepositioned at appropriate positions within the fuel reservoir andmounted from a bottom surface side of the fuel reservoir, an outlet portof the return piping is disposed on the set plate from the bottomsurface side of the fuel reservoir to face an interior of the fuelreservoir, the outlet port of the return piping and the suction port ofthe fuel pump are disposed within the sub-tank, and the outlet port ofthe return piping is provided so that the extra fuel is guided anddirected to the suction port of the fuel pump.

According to the fuel feeding device for an automotive vehicle of athird aspect of this invention, in the fuel feeding device for anautomotive vehicle according to the first aspect of this invention, aflow guide means for guiding the extra fuel to the suction port of thefuel pump is provided at the outlet port of the return piping.

According to the fuel feeding device for an automotive vehicle of afourth aspect of this invention, in the fuel feeding device for anautomotive vehicle according to the second aspect of this invention, aflow guide means for guiding the extra fuel to the suction port of thefuel pump is provided at the outlet port of the return piping.

According to the fuel feeding device for an automotive vehicle of afifth aspect of this invention, in the fuel feeding device for anautomotive vehicle according to the first aspect of this invention, apart of a pipe wall side portion of the return piping is cut out and thepipe is bent on the side of the side wall portion so that the outletport of the return piping is directed to guide the extra fuel to theoutlet port of the fuel pump.

According to the fuel feeding device for an automotive vehicle of asixth aspect of this invention, in the fuel feeding device for anautomotive vehicle according to the second aspect of this invention, apart of a pipe wall side portion of the return piping is cut out and thepipe is bent on the side of the side wall portion so that the outletport of the return piping is directed to guide the extra fuel to theoutlet port of the fuel pump.

According to the fuel feeding device for an automotive vehicle of aseventh aspect of this invention, in the fuel feeding device for anautomotive vehicle according to the first aspect of this invention, alateral outlet port directed to guide the extra fuel to the suction portof the fuel pump is provided in a pipe wall side portion adjacent to theoutlet port of the return piping, and the outlet port of the returnpiping is closed.

According to the fuel feeding device for an automotive vehicle of aneighth aspect of this invention, in the fuel feeding device for anautomotive vehicle according to the second aspect of this invention, alateral outlet port directed to guide the extra fuel to the suction portof the fuel pump is provided in a pipe wall side portion adjacent to theoutlet port of the return piping, and the outlet port of the returnpiping is closed.

According to the fuel feeding device for an automotive vehicle of aninth aspect of this invention, in the fuel feeding device for anautomotive vehicle according to the third aspect of this invention, theflow guide means is provided inside of a suction side filter formed soas to cover the suction port of the fuel pump.

According to the fuel feeding device for an automotive vehicle of atenth aspect of this invention, in the fuel feeding device for anautomotive vehicle according to the fourth aspect of this invention, theflow guide means is provided inside of a suction side filter formed soas to cover the suction port of the fuel pump.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing a fuel feeding device for anautomotive vehicle according an embodiment 1.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a detail of the fuel feeding device for anautomotive vehicle according to the embodiment 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a flow guide means according to theembodiment 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A—A of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view showing a flow guide means beforeshaping according to an embodiment 2.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view showing a flow guide means aftershaping according to the embodiment 2.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view showing a flow guide means accordingto an embodiment 3.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view showing another flow guide meansaccording to the embodiment 3.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a flow guide means according to anembodiment 4.

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view showing a flow guide means accordingto the embodiment 4.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional fuel feedingdevice for an automotive vehicle.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments of this invention will now be described in detail withreference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1

According to an embodiment 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, an in-tank typefeeding device for an automotive vehicle is provided with a sub-tank 5provided within a fuel tank 1 for avoiding a phenomenon that fuel 2within a fuel reservoir 1 is biased on one side by a swing motion or thelike to reduce the fuel 2 adjacent to a suction port 4 a of a fuel pump4 for feeding the fuel 2 within the fuel reservoir 1 on the side of anengine (not shown) through a pressure regulator 13 under pressure, areturn piping 16 for returning extra fuel from the pressure regulator 13to an interior of the fuel reservoir 1, and a set plate 3 disposed inadvance so that a sub-tank 5 and the fuel pump 4 are positioned atappropriate positions within the fuel reservoir 1 mounted from the sideof a bottom surface of the fuel reservoir 1. An outlet 16 a of thereturn piping 16 is disposed in the set plate 3 from the side of thebottom surface of the fuel reservoir 1 so as to face the interior of thefuel reservoir 1. The outlet 16 a of the return piping 16 and thesuction port 4 a of the fuel pump 4 are arranged in the sub-tank 5. Theoutlet 16 a of the return piping 16 is directed so as to guide the extrafuel to the suction port 4 a of the fuel pump 4. Furthermore, a flowguide means 18 is provided to the outlet 16 a of the return piping 16for guiding the extra fuel to the suction port 4 a of the fuel pump 4.

Incidentally, reference numerals 1 to 13 and 15 in the drawing are usedto denote the same components as those of the above-describedconventional device, and explanation therefor will be omitted. Numeral17 denotes a pillar fixed to the set plate 3 for fixing the fuel pump 4in place.

By the way, the return piping designated by the reference numeral 16 inthe figure is a pipe disposed for collecting the extra fuel which isexcessive when the pressure adjustment is performed for the pressureregulator 13, i.e., the return fuel to the fuel reservoir 1. This returnpiping 16 extends from the pressure regulator 13, passes oil-tightlythrough the set plate 3, and the terminal portion of the return pipingis somewhat projected from the bottom surface of the fuel reservoir 1,i.e., the set plate 3 so that the outlet 16 a, i.e., the terminal outletopened to the axial end of the return piping faces the interior of thesub-tank 5 within the fuel reservoir 1. The extra fuel is guided anddirected to the suction port 4 a of the fuel pump 4.

A flow guide means 18 is a means for guiding the extra fuel, flowingfrom the outlet 16 a of the return piping 16, to the suction port 4 a ofthe fuel pump 4. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, since the outlet port 16 a ofthe return piping 16 is projected upwardly to the interior of thesub-tank 5 through the set plate 3, the flow path for the extra fuel isprovided for the bottom surface of the sub-tank 5 after it is oncereturned downwardly within the flow guide means 18. An opening 18 a as ablow-out port is provided at a position in the vicinity of the suctionport 4 a toward the suction port 4 a of the fuel pump. The extra fuelfrom the opening 18 a is caused to flow toward the suction port 4 a ofthe fuel pump 4 a, i.e., so as to flow to the suction side filter 6 inthis embodiment.

In the thus constructed fuel feeding device for automotive vehicle, evenif the fuel 2 is biased on one side within the sub-tank 5 by the abruptacceleration, the abrupt braking and the slant of the vehicle when theamount of the fuel 2 within the fuel reservoir 1 is small, the returnfuel which is the extra fuel from the pressure regulator 13 isdischarged from the opening 18 a toward the suction side filter 6 withinthe sub-tank 5, i.e., the suction port 4 a of the fuel pump 4.Accordingly, the extra fuel is always fed to the suction port 4 a. As aresult, it is possible to feed the fuel to the engine by the fuel pump4.

Embodiment 2

An embodiment 2 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is an example in which a pipeportion adjacent to the outlet port 16 a of the return piping 16 ismachined to form a flow guide means in contrast to the structure inwhich the flow guide means according to the above-described embodiment 1is formed as a separate member. A part of the side portion of the pipewall of the return piping 16 is cut out and the pipe is bent to the sideportion thereof so that the outlet port 16 a of the return piping 16 isdirected to the suction portion 4 a of the fuel pump 4.

The flow guide means will now be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and6. In the drawings, reference numerals 3, 5, 6 and 16 are used toindicate the same components as those in the embodiment 1 andexplanation therefor will be omitted.

By the way, reference character 16 b in the drawings denotes a pluralityof V-shaped cutaways which are obtained by cutting away in severalstages in the lateral direction the outlet port 16 a side of the returnpiping 16 projecting into the sub-tank 5, i.e., the part of the pipewall side portion adjacent to the end thereof. The V-shaped cutaways 16b are cut so that the grooves are opened in a direction in which thesuction port 4 a of the fuel pump 4, i.e., the suction filter 6 ispresent. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the return piping 16 is bent so thatan opening defined by each V-shaped cutaway 16 b is closed. The outletport 16 a of the return pipe 16 is directed close to the suction port 4a.

If the flow guide means is thus formed, a separate special member is notneeded for the flow guide means. Accordingly, it is possible to form thedevice in low cost.

In such an arrangement, the effect of discharging the extra fuel towardthe suction port 4 a of the fuel pump 4 is the same as that of theabove-described structure 1.

Embodiment 3

Also, in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment 2, anembodiment 3 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is an example in which the pipe walladjacent to the outlet port 16 a of the return piping 16 is machined toform the flow guide means. In the flow guide means, a lateral outlet 16c directed to the suction port 4 a of the fuel pump 4 is formed in theside wall portion adjacent to the outlet 16 a of the return piping 16,and the terminal outlet 16 a of the return piping 16 is closed.Incidentally, in the drawings, reference numerals 3, 5, 6 and 16 areused to indicate the same components as those in the above-describedembodiment 1 and explanation therefor will be omitted.

First of all, in FIG. 7, reference character 16 c in the drawingsdenotes an opening machined by cutting the pipe wall of the terminalportion of the return piping 16 extending into the sub-tank 5. Thisopening 16 c is located close to the suction port 4 a of the fuel pump 4and directed thereto. Incidentally, reference numeral 19 denotes aclosing plug and is pressingly fit into the terminal outlet port of thereturn piping 16, i.e., the intrinsic outlet port 16 a opened in anaxial direction of the pipe to close the outlet port 16 a.

Next, FIG. 8 shows another flow guide means different from that shown inFIG. 7. In this example, the terminal end of the return piping 16 ispressed and closed instead of the closing plug 19 shown in FIG. 7. Alsoin this example, the effect of discharging the extra fuel toward thesuction port 4 a of the fuel pump 4 is the same as that of theabove-described embodiment 1.

Embodiment 4

In an embodiment 4 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the flow guide means 20 bwhich is formed as a member is provided in the interior of the suctionside filter 6 formed to cover the suction port 4 a of the fuel pump 4.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the flow guide means and FIG. 10 isa side view thereof. In the drawings, reference numerals 4 a, 6 and 16are used to indicate the same components as those in the above-describedembodiment 1 and explanation therefor will be omitted.

In the drawings, reference numeral 20 denotes the flow guide means as amember. This flow guide means 20 is connected terminal outlet portion 16a of the return piping 16, passes through a mesh portion of the suctionside filter 6 and is provided with a communication pipe 20 a formed sothat the outlet is located within the suction filter 6 and a guide wall20 b formed in a U-shaped so that the extra fuel from the outlet of thecommunication pipe 20 a is directed to the suction port 4 a of the fuelpump 4.

Then, in this example, since the guide wall 20 b as a member is disposedwithin the suction side filter 6 formed in the mesh form, the flow guidemeans 20 serves also as an intermediate support member for preventingthe crash of the suction side filter 6. Incidentally, numeral 21 in thedrawing denotes a collar for mounting the flow guide means 20 on thesuction side filter 6 while sealing the communication pipe 20 a to themesh portion of the suction side filter 6.

As described above, by providing the flow guide means or providing apart thereof within the suction side filter 6, the outlet port 16 a forthe extra fuel and the suction port 4 a of the fuel pump 4 are locatedcloser to each other. Accordingly, it is very effective to compensatefor the deficiency of the fuel in the vicinity of the suction port 4 aof the fuel pump 4.

Also, in this embodiment 4, the effect of discharging the extra fueltoward the suction port 4 a of the fuel pump 4 is the same as that ofthe above-described embodiment 1.

Also, in this embodiment 4, since the extra fuel to be returned into theinterior of the suction side filter 6 is passed through the suction sidefilter 6 and the fuel filter 11 so that the dust is removed therefrom,the re-feeding of the extra fuel within the suction side filter 6 by thefuel pump 4 suppress the clogging of the suction side filter 6 and thefuel filter 11 to thereby prolong the service life of the filters.

Industrial Applicability

According to the fuel feeding device for automotive vehicle having thefirst structure of the present invention, when the amount of the fuelwithin the fuel reservoir is small, even if the fuel is biased in thesub-tank by the abrupt acceleration, the abrupt braking and the slant ofthe vehicle, the return fuel which is the extra fuel from the pressureregulator is efficiently guided from the opening to the suction sidefilter within the sub-tank, i.e., toward the suction port of the fuelpump. Accordingly, the return fuel is always fed to the suction port.Accordingly, it is possible to stably continue the feeding of the fuelto the engine by the fuel pump.

According to the fuel feeding device for automotive vehicle having thesecond structure of the present invention, in addition to the advantagesof the fuel feeding device for automotive vehicle having the firststructure, since the return piping and its outlet are provided inconcentration on the set plate together with the sub-tank, the fuel pumpand its suction port, it is convenient to produce the device or toperform the maintenance and inspection.

According to the fuel feeding device for automotive vehicle having thethird and fourth structures of the present invention, the extra fuel iseffectively concentrated on the suction port of the fuel pump by theflow guide means.

According to the fuel feeding device for automotive vehicle having thefifth to eight structures of the present invention, since any specialmember is not needed as the flow guide means, it is possible to producethe device in low cost. In addition, the extra fuel can be efficientlyconcentrated on the suction port of the fuel pump by the flow guidemeans.

According to the fuel feeding device for automotive vehicle having theninth and tenth structures of the present invention, since the flowguide means is provided within the suction side filter, the outlet ofthe extra fuel and the suction port of the fuel pump can be locatedcloser with each other, and it is very effective to compensate for thedeficiency of the fuel in the vicinity of the suction port of the fuelpump.

Also, the effect of guiding the extra fuel to the suction port of thefuel pump is the same as that of the first structure of the invention.

Furthermore, in this arrangement, since the extra fuel to be returnedinto the interior of the suction side filter is passed through thesuction side filter and the fuel filter so that the dust is removedtherefrom, the re-feeding of the extra fuel within the suction sidefilter by the fuel pump suppress the clogging of the suction side filterand the fuel filter to thereby prolong the service life of the filters.

What is claimed is:
 1. An in-tank type fuel feeding device for anautomotive vehicle, comprising: a sub-tank provided within a fuelreservoir; a fuel pump disposed within the sub-tank for feeding underpressure the fuel within the fuel reservoir through a pressureregulator, the fuel pump having a suction port; a return piping forreturning extra fuel from the pressure regulator to the fuel reservoir,the return piping having an outlet port disposed within the sub-tank;and a flow guide covering the outlet port, the flow guide operative toguide and direct the extra fuel to the suction port.
 2. The fuel feedingdevice for an automotive vehicle according to claim 1, characterized inthat the flow guide is provided inside of a suction side filter formedso as to cover the suction port of the fuel pump.
 3. The fuel feedingdevice for an automotive vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the flowguide is shaped to be operative to cause the flow of the extra fuelupwardly exiting the outlet port to be returned downwardly within theflow guide.
 4. The fuel feeding device for an automotive vehicleaccording to claim 3, wherein the flow guide further comprises ablow-out port operative to cause the flow of the extra fuel that hasbeen returned downwardly to then exit the flow guide toward the suctionport.
 5. The fuel feeding device for an automotive vehicle according toclaim 4, wherein the blow-out port is disposed on a side of the flowguide essentially perpendicular to the flow direction of the extra fuelupwardly exiting the outlet port.
 6. The fuel feeding device for anautomotive vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the sub-tank iscup-shaped.
 7. The fuel feeding device for an automotive vehicleaccording to claim 1, wherein the flow guide is attached to the outletport of the return piping.
 8. An in-tank type fuel feeding device for anautomotive vehicle, comprising: a sub-tank provided within a fuelreservoir; a fuel pump disposed within the sub-tank for feeding underpressure the fuel within the fuel reservoir through a pressureregulator, the fuel pump having a suction port; a return piping forreturning extra fuel from the pressure regulator to the fuel reservoir,the return piping having an outlet port disposed within the sub-tank;and a set plate mounted to the sub-tank, the set plate disposed so thatthe sub-tank and the fuel pump are positioned at appropriate positionswithin the fuel reservoir from a bottom surface side of the fuelreservoir, wherein the return piping passes through the set plate fromthe bottom surface side of the fuel reservoir to face an interior of thesub-tank, and the outlet port of the return piping is provided so thatthe extra fuel is guided and directed to the suction port of the fuelpump.
 9. The fuel feeding device for an automotive vehicle according toclaim 8, further comprising a flow guide covering the outlet port, theflow guide operative to guide the extra fuel to the suction port of thefuel pump.
 10. The fuel feeding device for an automotive vehicleaccording to claim 9, characterized in that the flow guide is providedinside of a suction side filter formed so as to cover the suction portof the fuel pump.
 11. The fuel feeding device for an automotive vehicleaccording to claim 9, wherein the flow guide is attached to the outletport of the return piping.
 12. fuel feeding device for an automotivevehicle according to claim 8, characterized in that a part of a pipewall side portion of the return piping is cut out and the pipe is benton the side of the side wall portion so that the outlet port of thereturn piping is directed to guide the extra fuel to the suction port ofthe fuel pump.
 13. The fuel feeding device for an automotive vehicleaccording to claim 8, characterized in that a lateral outlet portdirected to guide the extra fuel to the suction port of the fuel pump isprovided in a pipe wall side portion adjacent to the outlet port of thereturn piping, and the outlet port of the return piping is closed. 14.An in-tank type fuel feeding device for an automotive vehicle,comprising: a sub-tank provided within a fuel reservoir containing fuel;a fuel pump disposed in the sub-tank for feeding fuel under pressure toa pressure regulator on an engine side, the fuel pump having a suctionport; and a return piping for returning extra fuel from the pressureregulator to the fuel reservoir, the return piping having an outlet portdisposed within the sub-tank; wherein a part of a pipe wall side portionof the return piping is cut out and the pipe is bent on the side of theside wall portion so that the outlet port of the return piping isdirected to guide the extra fuel to the suction port of the fuel pump.15. An in-tank type fuel feeding device for an automotive vehicle,comprising: a sub-tank provided within a fuel reservoir containing fuel;a fuel pump disposed in the sub-tank for feeding fuel under pressure toa pressure regulator on an engine side, the fuel pump having a suctionport; and a return piping for returning extra fuel from the pressureregulator to the fuel reservoir, the return piping having an outlet portdisposed within the sub-tank; wherein a lateral outlet port directed toguide the extra fuel to the suction port of the fuel pump is provided ina pipe wall side portion adjacent to the outlet port of the returnpiping, and the outlet port of the return piping is closed.